Garments and Apparel

ABSTRACT

A garment ( 10 ) is openable and closable by means of intermittently located two-part fastening means. The garment ( 10 ) comprises a first placket ( 12 ) having a plurality of first fastening parts ( 14,15 ) of two-part fastening means attached thereto at spaced apart intervals, and a second placket ( 16 ) having a plurality of second fastening parts ( 18 ) of the two-part fastening means. The first fastening parts ( 14, 15 ) comprise a first series of at least three first fastening parts in a first region ( 21 ) of the first placket ( 12 ) and a second series of first fastening parts in a second region ( 22 ) thereof, which is located below the first region ( 21 ). The first fastening parts ( 14 ) of the first series have a first set of mutual spacings and the first fastening parts ( 15 ) of the second series have a. second set of mutual spacings that are substantially greater than the mutual spacings of the first series.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to garments and apparel, and in particular to outer garments having a front that is openable and closable by means of intermittently located two-part fastening means. The two-part fastening means may be buttons and button-holes, hooks and eyes, snap-connecting poppers, toggles and loops, and the like. Although of application to such garments in the nature of coats, housecoats, dresses and similar garments that extend over both uper and lower parts of a wearer's body, the present invention is particularly (but not limitingly) concerned with such garments for the upper torso of buxom persons, e.g. ladies garments such as shirts, blouses and the like.

BACKGROUND

A known difficulty that arises with such outer garments provided with intermittently located two-part fastening means, e.g. buttons and button-holes, is that the garment as worn can gape open in between the fastenings and reveal that which the wearer (usually female) might prefer to conceal. Previous attempts at avoiding this difficulty have been suggested in US-2007/0044198 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,787,896, but these proposed solutions are considered likely to stiffen the garment and render it less comfortable than needs be the case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a view to overcoming or at least minimising this difficulty, the present invention contemplates an outer garment having a front that is openable and closable by means of intermittently located two-part fastening means, said garment comprising a first placket having a plurality of first fastening parts of said two-part fastening means (e.g. buttons) attached thereto at spaced apart intervals to locate them intermittently, and a second placket provided with a plurality of second fastening parts of said two-part fastening means (e.g. button holes) at locations corresponding to the said first fastening parts on the first placket, characterised in that said plurality of first fastening parts comprise a first series of at least three first fastening parts in a first region of the first placket and a second series of first fastening parts in a second region of the first placket located below said first region, in that said first series of first fastening parts have a first set of mutual spacings, and in that said second series of first fastening parts have a second set of mutual spacings that are substantially greater than the mutual spacings of said first series.

Advantageously the mutual spacings of said second set of first fastening parts (e.g. buttons) may be approximately twice the mutual spacings of said first set of first fastening parts (e.g. buttons).

For example, the mutual spacings of said second set of first fastening parts (e.g. buttons) may be between 7 cm and 9 cm (preferably about 8 cm) whereas the mutual spacings of said first set of buttons may be between 3.6 cm and 4.2 cm (preferably between 3.86 cm and 4.03 cm—ideally about 3.95 cm).

Advantageously the lowermost one of the first fastening parts of the first series constitutes the topmost one of the first fastening parts of the second series.

Preferably the second placket is fronted by a cover placket to cover the fastening means of the fastened garment and form a blind-fronted garment.

Advantageously the garment is provided to each side with an armhole seam, a side seam or dart extending downwardly from the armhole seam, and an intermediate seam or dart located between the side seam or dart and a neighbouring placket, characterised in that said intermediate seam or dart is of generally sinuous form of which an upper portion is bowed laterally away from a said placket and towards the neighbouring side seam or dart, and of which a lower portion is bowed laterally towards a said placket and away from the neighbouring side seam or dart.

Advantageously a transverse seam or dart is provided between said intermediate seam or dart and either (a) the adjacent armhole seam or (b) the adjacent side seam or dart.

Preferably this transverse seam or dart has a substantially arcuate form having a central region disposed upwardly of an end region that adjoins the intermediate seam or dart. Advantageously the end region adjoins the top end of the intermediate seam or dart at an angle preferably between 75° and 87°.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example one embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a garment according to this invention,

FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the garment of FIG. 1 with a cover placket disturbed, and

FIG. 3 illustrates the garment of FIGS. 1 and 2 as worn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE(S) OF THE INVENTION

The item of apparel illustrated in the drawings is button-fastened blouse, shirt or other outer garment 10 for a woman's upper torso of buxom proportions. The button-fastened outer garment 10 comprises a button placket 12 having a plurality of buttons 14,15 attached thereto and a button-hole placket 16 provided with a plurality of button holes 18 at locations corresponding to the buttons 14,15 of the button placket 12. The buttons 14 constitute a first series of three (or more) buttons in a first region 21 of the button placket 12 and as a second series of buttons 15 in a second region 22 of the button placket 12. Region 22 is located below said region 21. The first series of buttons 14 have a first set of mutual spacings A, and the second series of buttons 15 have a second set of mutual spacings B that are substantially greater than the spacings A of said first series.

In the illustrated examples the mutual spacings B of said second set of buttons 15 are approximately twice the mutual spacings A of said first set of buttons 14.

In specific examples of this embodiment of the invention, the mutual spacings B of said second set of buttons 15 are are a fixed distance which, depending on the nominal size of the garment, are between 7 cm and 9 cm (preferably about 8 cm) whereas the mutual spacings A of said first set of buttons 14 likewise depend on the nominal size of the garment and are a fixed distance between 3.6 cm and 4.2 cm (preferably between 3.86 cm and 4.03 cm—ideally about 3.95 cm).

As shown in the drawings the first series of buttons 14 comprises three buttons 14 of which the lowermost button constitutes the topmost button of the second series 15 (which comprises four buttons). Depending on the nominal size of the garment, the topmost one of the buttons 14 is a distance ‘C’ of between 16.4 cm and 17.0 cm from the top of the button placket 12 at the neck of the garment.

It will be appreciated that some dimensional variation can occur as between the exemplary dimensions provided herein—which are for a new and unwashed shirt or blouse—and those of an actual garment. These dimensional variations arise not only between Small, Medium and Large ‘bust size’ versions within each nominal size (e.g. UK sizes 8, 10, 12 . . . 18 etc.), but also due to manufacturing tolerances and shrinkage of the fabric employed—cotton, for example, can shrink by up to 8% in washing.

Although all the buttons 14,15 are of identical size and shape and provide an attractive front appearance for the garment, they may—optionally—be fronted by a cover placket 20 to cover the buttons of the fastened garment 10 and form a blind-fronted garment.

The illustrated garment 10 is provided to each side with an armhole seam 24, a side seam or dart 26 extending downwardly from the armhole seam 24, and an intermediate seam or dart 28 located between the side seam or dart 26 and a neighbouring placket 16,18,20. Each intermediate seam or dart 28 is of generally sinuous form of which an upper portion 27 is bowed laterally away from the plackets 16,18,20 (i.e. towards the neighbouring side seam or dart 26) whilst a lower portion 29 is bowed laterally towards a neighbouring placket 16,18,20 (i.e. away from the neighbouring side seam or dart 26).

As shown, a transverse seam or dart 30 is provided between said intermediate seam or dart and the adjacent side seam or dart 26. This transverse seam or dart 30 has a substantially arcuate form having a region 32 intermediate its ends which rises upwardly of an end region 33 that adjoins the intermediate seam or dart 28 at the top end of the intermediate seam or dart 28. The arcuate length E of each transverse seam or dart 30 is dependent on the size of the garment. For example, it may be accord with the dimensions shown for ‘E’ in the following Table:

TABLE Size W (cm) z (cm) E (cm) d (cm) 12 S 51.6 8.5 10.40 15.5 to 16.0 12 M 51.0 8.5 15.10 13.0 to 13.5 12 L 52.0 9.0 19.90 10.2 to 10.7 14 S 54.0 8.7 11.00 16.3 to 17.1 14 M 54.0 8.5 15.70 13.6 to 14.4 14 L 54.0 8.7 20.50 11.0 to 12.0 16 S 57.0 8.6 11.85 16.8 to 17.5 16 M 58.0 8.6 16.55 14.5 to 15.4 16 L 57.5 9.0 21.35 11.7 to 13.0 18 S 60.0 8.5 12.70 17.2 to 18.0 18 M 60.0 8.5 17.40 14.8 to 15.8 18 L 60.0 9.0 22.20 12.2 to 13.4

It will be seen from this Table that, in each nominal size, said arcuate length E for a small version ‘S’ is 4.7 cm less than for a medium version ‘M’ and that said arcuate length E for a large version ‘L’ is 4.8 cm greater than for a medium version ‘M’. It will also be noted from the Table that each grade or version of nominal size 12 has a value for arcuate length E that is 0.6 cm less than for a nominal size 14, and that each version of nominal size 16 and 18 has a value for arcuate length E that is 0.85 cm greater than the corresponding grade or version of nominal size 14 and 16 respectively.

The angle between end region 33 and the top end of the intermediate seam or dart 28 is preferably between 75° and 87°.

The arris or junction P₁ between the intermediate seam or dart 28 and the transverse seam or dart 30 on one side of the garment and the corresponding arris or junction P₂ on the other side of the garment are at a level 31 passing through one of the buttons 14. The reason why level 31 seemingly intersects the central one of buttons 14 in FIG. 3 but appears level with a topmost button 14 in FIG. 3 is because the garment is shown flat in FIG. 2 but is shown as worn in FIG. 3. When worn, the wearer's bosom fills the space provided by the curved seams or darts 26,28 and 30 and thus lifts the shirt or blouse 10 slightly. As such when the garment is worn the central button 14 will be in line with seam 30 but when laid flat, seam 30 will appear out of line with the central button 14. As indicated in the Table, the distance ‘d’ between the arris or junction P₁ or P₂ and the centre line of the shirt front through the buttons is selected in dependence on the nominal size of the garment and on the grade S, M or L within each nominal size.

On each side of the garment 10, the distance along the side seam or dart 26 down from the armhole seam 24 to the adjacent end of the transverse seam or dart 30 is designated by the letter z. This distance z is between 8.5 cm and 9 cm. With advantage, and as evident from the Table, this distance z is dependent on the size of the garment.

In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the transverse seam/dart 30 may interconnect the top of said intermediate seam/dart 28 and the adjacent armhole seam 24. In this case the intermediate and transverse seams/darts 28,30 merge contiguously into one another and there is no sudden interrupting arris or junction between them.

It will be appreciated that due to the larger than average area of the garment taken up by the wearer's bust, it is most preferred to have at least three buttons 14 on the button placket 12, these buttons 14 of the first series spaced and placed as indicated above. In this regard it is furthermore well known that many women wear an incorrectly sized brassiere and as such, the bust line can be higher or lower than it should be depending on the particular brassiere worn. It is considered that the coverage or gape prevention possible from just two buttons will be insufficient and will inevitably permit gaping open of the garment front, particularly in the sizes at the top end of the bust scale for each shirt size.

It will also be appreciated that, although the above-described and illustrated embodiment of this invention utilises two-part fastening means that consist of buttons as one part and button-holes as the other part, other kinds of intermittently located two-part fastening means can be utilised. For example the two-part fastening means may consist of hooks as one part and eyes as the other part. Alternatively the two-part fastening means may consist of toggles as one part and loops as the other part. In still another alternative the two-part fastening means may consist of snap-connecting so-called ‘popper’ devices.

Other modifications and embodiments of the invention, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art, are to be deemed within the ambit and scope of the invention, and the particular embodiment(s) hereinbefore described may be varied in construction and detail, e.g. interchanging (where appropriate or desired) different features of each, without departing from the scope of the patent monopoly hereby sought. 

1. An outer garment having a front that is openable and closable by means of intermittently located two-part fastening means, said garment comprising: a first placket having a plurality of first fastening parts of said two-part fastening means attached thereto at spaced apart intervals to locate them intermittently; and a second placket provided with a plurality of second fastening parts of said two-part fastening means at locations corresponding to the said first fastening parts on the first placket, said plurality of first fastening parts having a first series of at least three first fastening parts in a first region of the first placket and a second series of first fastening parts in a second region of the first placket located below said first region, the first fastening parts of said first series have a first set of mutual spacings, and the first fastening parts of said second series have a second set of mutual spacings that are substantially greater than the mutual spacings of said first series.
 2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the mutual spacings of the first fastening parts of said second set are approximately twice the mutual spacings of the first fastening parts of said first set.
 3. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the mutual spacings of the first fastening parts of said second set are between 7 cm and 9 cm whereas the mutual spacings of the first fastening parts of said second set are between 3.6 cm and 4.2 cm.
 4. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the mutual spacings of the first fastening parts of said second set are approximately 8 cm whereas the mutual spacings of the first fastening parts of said first set are between approximately 3.86 cm and approximately 4.03 cm.
 5. A garment according to claim 4, wherein the mutual spacings of the first fastening parts of said first set are between approximately 3.95 cm.
 6. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the lowermost one of the first fastening parts of the first series constitutes the topmost one of the first fastening parts of the second series.
 7. A garment according to claim 1, wherein there are at least four said first fastening parts in the said second series.
 8. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the second placket is fronted by a cover placket to cover the fastening means of the fastened garment and form a blind-fronted garment.
 9. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the two-part fastening means consist of buttons as one part and button-holes as the other part.
 10. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the two-part fastening means consist of hooks as one part and eyes as the other part.
 11. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the two-part fastening means consist of toggles as one part and loops as the other part.
 12. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the two-part fastening means consist of snap-connecting so-called ‘popper’ devices.
 13. A garment according to claim 1, further comprising, on each side of the garment, an armhole seam, a side seam or dart extending downwardly from the armhole seam, and an intermediate seam or dart located between the side seam or dart and a neighbouring placket, said intermediate seam or dart is of generally sinuous form of which an upper portion is bowed laterally away from said placket and towards the neighbouring side seam or dart, and of which a lower portion is bowed laterally towards said placket and away from the neighbouring side seam or dart.
 14. A garment according to claim 13, wherein a transverse seam or dart is provided between said intermediate seam or dart and the adjacent side seam or dart.
 15. A garment according to claim 14, wherein the distance along the side seam or dart from the armhole seam to the adjacent end of the transverse seam or dart is between 8.5 cm and 9 cm.
 16. A garment according to claim 13, wherein a transverse seam or dart is provided between said intermediate seam or dart and the adjacent armhole seam.
 17. A garment according to claim 13, wherein said transverse seam or dart has a substantially arcuate form having a central region disposed upwardly of an end region that adjoins the intermediate seam or dart.
 18. A garment according to claim 17, wherein the said end region adjoins the top end of the intermediate seam or dart at an angle less than 90 degrees.
 19. A garment according to claim 17, wherein the said end region adjoins the top end of the intermediate seam or dart at an angle an angle between 75 degrees and 87 degrees.
 20. (canceled) 